Winter Week 4: Thanksgiving

A perfect double rainbow over our valley. In November.

THIS WEEK’S SUBSCRIBER MENU:

• “Russet Burbank” Potatoes
• “Buttercup” Squash or Pie Pumpkins
• Broccoli
• Baby Daikon Radishes with Greens
• Parsnips
• Brussels Sprouts or Kale
• Fennel or Kohlrabi or Leeks or Radicchio
• Onions

Click on the links above for information and recipes about these crops.

COMING SOON: Parsley Root, Kale Sprouts

November has been a rocky month for our country. And for our people. Never have I been made so aware that I live in a bubble. Partly a bubble of our northwest culture, and largely a bubble of my own making: I have created a life that I always wanted, sometimes for better or worse, in a place that I love.

But that means I can change it as needed. While it’s all too easy to be overwhelmed by the negative, as a person who has farmed for almost 20 years, I’ve learned how to rise above and get back to work. Something isn’t going the way I want? Wallow for a bit, be sad and/or angry, and then get in there and fix it. Work harder on making it what you DO want it to be. Don’t quit. Don’t give up.

And there is my mantra for this winter, and 2017. With my words comes my gratitude to all of the families who have been with our farm, supporting every change, every challenge for all these years. Relationships are about growing and changing together. All relationships: marriages; customers and businesses; children and parents; nations and citizens.

When I realized that our farm and family were not sustainable unto each other, I had choices to make, and those are not easy choices. But I am so thankful to be able to make them. I have the freedom to homeschool my kids, in order to spend more time together. I have the freedom to own a business, to follow my dreams. And I have the freedom to change its structure, to grow…or to downsize. And that, Dear Farm Supporters, is why I am so, so very grateful for YOU. Your dedication to our farm allows me the strength and confidence to downsize our farm. I have your support and confidence behind me, as I concentrate more on being near my family in our busiest season. As I endeavor to get back to the passion that drove me into farming and growing amazing food. And as I get older and move more into the mentoring phase of my profession. As I downsize my farm, I make room to mentor other, younger farmers: physical and emotional space.

In this most difficult, and least likely of my lifetime of Novembers, I am full of Thanksgiving for you.

I wish you the warmest of holidays this winter, beginning with the season of giving thanks.

Shelley

Kay (and her mom) did a fantastic job taking care of the U-Pick garden this year. Next year we’re hoping to add more herbs AND the beans and cherry tomatoes.